How to Draw Floor Plans

11 Tips for Effective Space Planning

You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble by taking careful measurements and thinking through the following issues before you start drawing.

1) When measuring existing spaces, lay your measuring tape flat on the floor and measure room dimensions in several places, especially where furniture will be a tight fit. Don't assume your walls are parallel.

2) Before laying out furniture, look for projecting windowsills, and note the location of electrical receptacles, light switches, vents and thermostats.

3) When placing a desk or chair, ask yourself "What do I want to be looking at when I sit there?"

4) When planning an office, first determine whether the occupant's back will be toward the door. Some people feel very strongly about this. Other design decisions will flow from this basic choice.

5) To reduce glare, try to avoid having computer monitors directly facing windows.

6) Leave enough empty space in front of filing cabinets to fully extend the drawer, plus at least 18 additional inches (1 foot, 6 inches) if the drawers will be accessed by a person standing in front of them. *